The GSE Podcast welcomes Jennifer Zucchino (IEMA Executive Director), John Jezo (Endeavor Sales Manager), and Jenny Lescohier (Editor) to discuss the upcoming GSE Expo in Las Vegas this September and its exciting new features.
• Fortbrand has acquired Xcēd, retaining all employees while expanding service offerings
• IEMA has partnered with Endeavor to create an enhanced show experience with 210+ exhibitors expected
• Only 25% of exhibitors are currently IEMA members despite significant benefits including 10% booth discount
• The reimagined Demo Zone sponsored by PCS will feature scheduled equipment demonstrations throughout the show
• The new "Layover Lounge" replaces the beer garden concept with a more inclusive social gathering space
• The "Oasis" provides shaded seating with fans, phone charging, and prime viewing of demo activities
• Ground Support Worldwide will present its Leaders of the Year Awards at the Expo
• Registration is trending up with 2,000-2,500 attendees expected
• A mobile app is being developed to enhance the attendee experience
• Electric vehicles and sustainability technologies will be prominent themes throughout the show
Register at gseexpo.com to secure your spot at the GSE Expo, September 16-18 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Looking for dependable and on demand ground support equipment leasing? Fortbrand is your go to partner. We specialize in tailored operating leases for airlines, cargo carriers, and ground handlers, delivering top tier equipment without the wait. From the latest electric GSE to traditional units, Fortbrand offers flexible terms, competitive rates, and a customer experience that is second to none. Keep your ramp moving with confidence. Visit fortbrand.com and experience GSE leasing redefined.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Matt Weitzel (00:00):
Hey listeners, some things have changed since
the last episode of the GSEpodcast.
Fortbrand has officiallyacquired Xced, and everyone from
the Xced team is excited to bepart of Fortbrand family.
If you're a customer of eithercompany, rest assured this
transition won't interrupt yourservice.
Fortbrand has retained all ofits employees, as well as the
(00:21):
entire Xced team, so the peoplethat you know and trust are
still right here.
The great news is thatFortbrand brings even more to
the table.
In addition to flexible leasingsolutions, they offer full
service maintenance, operatetheir own maintenance shops and
have the ability to wrap thatsupport directly into your lease
.
We'll dive deeper into whatthis means in future episodes,
(00:43):
but for now, I would like toextend my gratitude to everyone
who listens to and supports thispodcast.
Without you, there is no GSEPodcast.
Now here's a short message fromour sponsor, and then we're on
to the show.
The GSE Podcast is brought toyou by Fortbrand, a premier
provider of ground support andairport maintenance equipment.
(01:05):
Fort Brand offers flexibleshort-term and long-term leasing
options, full servicemaintenance and a growing
inventory of ready-to-ship unitsacross North America.
Whether you need GSE forseasonal spikes or long-term
growth, fort Brand delivers areliability and support your
operation demands.
Learn more at fortbrandcom.
(01:28):
All right, well, welcome to theGSE podcast.
I'm Matt Weitzel and I'm herewith Jennifer Zucchino, john
Jezzo and Jenny Leskoher.
How's it going Good, doing good.
Jon Jezo (01:42):
Doing great.
Matt, Thanks for having us.
Matt Weitzel (01:44):
Yeah, we're here to talk about the GSE Expo in
Las Vegas that's coming up inSeptember and I think we are
going to have a great timediscussing what everybody can
look forward to and what isupcoming.
And everybody can kind of diveinto this show as they fly in to
(02:05):
Las Vegas and figure out whatthey're going to do when they
get there.
What's going to look like andwhat is this beer garden about.
That sounds wonderful, yeah, Ithink so A lot of exciting
things to cover.
Yeah, exactly.
So, Jen, we're going to startwith you.
Why don't you kind of talkabout IEMA and talk about
yourself for a little bit, andthen any kind of like tidbits
(02:26):
you want to give us on the show?
Jennifer Zecchino (02:28):
Great.
Well, thank you, matt, forhaving me a part of this podcast
, and IEMA is very honored andwe look forward to having you
and Exceed exhibit with us atthe upcoming GSE Expo as well,
on the 16th through the 18th ofSeptember.
So I do represent IEMA.
I am an executive director.
I have been on the IEMA boardfor eight years now and have
(02:52):
enjoyed every minute of it.
I've enjoyed working with greatpeople like John, and Jenny is
new to the team but, matt, withyour company as well, iema has
been around since 2009.
For those of you that don't know, we've been around for quite
some time and we have partneredwith kind of a long partner
standing relationship withEndeavor on this show.
(03:14):
We used to kind of in the past,just have a show every other
year and Endeavor was ourpartner, iema's partner, with
that.
They did all the really theheavy lifting.
They do all of the sales.
That's John's team and Alicia.
They do all the marketing forus.
They work with Shepard FullCircle.
Everyone that is exhibitingthere will have touch points
(03:36):
with all of those companies andthat's all with leadership of
Endeavor and us working togetherclosely with IEMA so they help
us pick our venues.
We will be announcing a new one,but it won't be till the show.
So that's exciting.
I can't wait for that to comeand that announcement as well.
But we work very closely withEndeavor, so it's a great
(03:58):
relationship with IEMA.
I have moved into a new rolewhere I'm not in a leadership
position with them now, butinstead the executive director
role where I really kind of herdcats, if you will.
I've got seven board membersall across the GSE platform with
.
We've got Cobus, we've got, youknow, tld, the Elvest family,
(04:21):
we've got Oshkosh Aerotech,vestigard, a part of the board
Malahan, powerstow and ournewest board member with ACT,
which is Advanced ChargingTechnologies.
So I get to work very, veryclosely with those board members
to be able to give you guys thebest show along with Endeavor
that we can every other year.
(04:42):
So we look forward to thatpartnership a lot with.
Matt Weitzel (04:44):
Endeavor that we can every other year.
So we look forward to thatpartnership a lot.
That's amazing.
Thank you so much for fillingus in on that, jen John.
Kind of explain from yourperspective how Endeavor works
with IEMA and then kind ofintroduce yourself a little bit.
Jon Jezo (04:56):
Sure thing.
Thank you, matt, and thanks forhaving me.
My name is John Juzzo and I ama sales manager with Endeavor
Business Media.
We are the partner with IEMA tohost the International GSE Expo
that will be in Las Vegas thisyear and, for anybody wondering
date specific, it'd be September16th through the 18th right at
(05:17):
the Las Vegas Convention Center.
So, looking forward to that.
Basically, my role in thissales organization and trade
show event is to help everyonewho's exhibiting get set up with
their booth, choose the spacekind of work out.
Some of those display differentnuances that they want to
present, but overall I helpmanage the trade show floor and
(05:39):
sell booths.
So we're very excited.
It's been a very strong year.
Right now, overall, what we'relooking at is about 210
exhibitors to date that are onboard and will be displaying
brand new products, lots of newunveilings.
So we're very excited for thatis.
(06:03):
We work very closely with Jen'steam at IEMA to make sure all
the final details are executedjust so perfectly and all the
sponsorships and things areexecuted and set up for all of
our attendees.
With that said, this year hasgot to change in the show a
little bit and it's all great.
It's going to be a larger venuefrom what we had in the past.
Specifically, we are upthousands of square feet as
(06:26):
exhibitors have kind of shiftedtheir minds and gone with much
larger display, and I think thatcoincides with the excitement
that's been building with a lotof the new products that are
coming.
There's a lot of big productscoming, which is very exciting,
but right now we're looking atlike 200,000 square feet indoors
and out here of all sorts ofnew GSE products, technologies,
(06:48):
service offering, really, youname it One of those things that
right now pacing is going verywell.
Or we're looking at registrationlooks very strong.
So we are pacing up from yearsprior.
So 2023, which is a great event, but we are still on board and
expecting maybe 2,000, 2,500attendees, which is great, right
(07:09):
?
I mean it's definitely an eventthat, if you're in the GAC
market, you're likely going tobe at the GAC Expo and along
with that, we encourage all ofour GAC Expo partners to become
IEMA members.
That's just something thathelps really better the industry
and the market and we lookforward to having everyone's
input and participation as wemove the world forward in GSE.
Matt Weitzel (07:33):
Yeah, I would be shocked if somebody wasn't an
IEMA member.
So, jen, what percentage are welooking at of IEMA members to
exhibitors?
Do you know, or just a guess atleast members and then two
exhibitors.
Do you know?
Jennifer Zecchino (07:46):
or just a guess.
At least so believe it or not.
Only a fourth are actuallymembers.
Matt Weitzel (07:50):
Oh, wow, Okay, yeah, and I think that, well
then, this is great, right,Because you know a lot of people
listen to this podcast.
Maybe they don't know what IEMAis and now they can look at
maybe getting a membership for2027, or it'll also help out
with GSE Expo Europe, I imaginein 2026.
Jennifer Zecchino (08:11):
Is that correct?
That is correct.
So what we were doing soeffective.
Actually, tomorrow is your lastday that you can become an IEMA
member, so 1st of July 2025 isthe last day you can become an
IEMA member for the 2025 show,which then IEMA and Endeavor
since we are partneredgenerously gives you a 10% off
discount just for your show,amongst other things, and then
(08:35):
we'll start up our 2026membership September 1.
And that then will help withour GSE Expo Europe show.
Matt Weitzel (08:43):
Okay so, and then everybody can go online to what?
To get that information.
Jennifer Zecchino (08:48):
So the best thing for them to do is we do
have a fairly new website.
You can go to info at IEMAorgand request information to
become an IEMA member.
The best is to really reach outto me directly at jmatasy
M-A-T-A-S-Y at iemaorg andrequest to be a member, and then
(09:14):
I will go ahead and forward youyour annual invoice, monthly or
annual dues, which is actuallyonly a thousand dollars, which
does a lot more.
It's really grown our platformof what we've given our members.
It used to be just the 10%, butwe've gotten a lot of feedback
and want to retain our membersand want that really to grow.
(09:35):
And so now what we have done iswe have not just one show every
other year.
We do have a show now everyyear, one in the um in the U?
S, and then one in Europe, andthen we also offer a lot of
marketing collateral.
So you'll see it at the show indifferent areas, whether it's
at the booth, whether it isaisle flags, whether it's a
fence banner.
(09:55):
We also are doing a lot more onsocial media and promoting a
lot of our new members.
Our board Endeavor has beenvery generous as well and gives
out a substantial discount onany advertising and Jenny will
probably cover that as well onthe publication side.
And also IEMA gives back to ourmembers at the end of every
show.
(10:16):
In the 2023 show with Endeavor,anyone who was an active IEMA
member got their entire electricbill paid for for just being an
IEMA member.
Matt Weitzel (10:27):
I remember that I was so happy about that.
Jennifer Zecchino (10:31):
It didn't matter the cost.
You know, the board said wewant to give back and our
members spoke and they said thebest way for you to get back
would be to just pay ourelectric bill, because that was
their biggest expense.
So this year we're going to beputting out to our members hey,
what is helpful.
And, as John kind of covered,we've grown so much with the
floor space that so many of ourmanufacturers have actually gone
(10:52):
indoors because Las Vegas isgetting hotter and the air
conditioning it's hard to reallyput air conditioning in those
tents.
So you'll notice that a lot ofour larger OEMs are now indoors.
We still have a great, a greatoutdoor space and exhibit as
well.
But it's a shift in the climate.
It's a shift in what people aredoing, going electric, it's you
(11:12):
know.
So the board will look at thatand we will vote and then we
will be sending out a message toour members that our members
July 1 and before and they willbenefit from being a part of
(11:36):
this, I think almost ever sinceI started at XSEED, because when
I was working for TUG, nowTextron GSE, they were obviously
members of IEMA since thebeginning and I knew the value.
Matt Weitzel (11:50):
So XSEED joined right away and I definitely see
the value in it and I'm gladthat you kind of was able to
give everybody an overview ofwhat IEMA is and what IEMA does
for their members.
I'm a big fan of padding myselfunderneath the carpet.
I go with the biggest paddingpossible.
They got two inch.
(12:11):
I'm going two inch paddingbecause there's nothing worse
than standing on concrete forthree days straight.
It's miserable.
So, matt, goes big on thepadding.
So, just like, just FYI for allthose exhibitors that are
listening to this right now, gobig on the padding.
You're not going to regret it.
Your feet are going to thankyou at the end of the show.
Jon Jezo (12:28):
So that was my public service announcement.
You were spot on, matt.
Matt Weitzel (12:32):
Great note, great note yeah yeah, I've been doing
this for a while, so, all right,let's meet.
Jenny, why don't you introduceyourself?
You are fairly new to GSE.
Jenny Lescohier (12:47):
I am, I am.
Thank you, matt.
I'm happy to be here.
I just joined the staff inJanuary of this year, so I'm
about six months in.
I'm new to aviation, kind of.
I have spent the last 25-someyears writing for trade media,
but more in the construction andequipment rental spaces, and so
you know I'm coming in from theperspective.
There are a lot of similarities, surprisingly, between that
(13:08):
industry and aviation, or atleast in the ground support
segment of it, because it allcomes down to fleet management.
You know that's like bigequipment fleets and that's
something that I've beencovering for decades.
But just a fun fact is Iactually started in aviation for
a very tiny hot minute there in1994 and 95 when I left my
(13:34):
newspaper job and the big holygrail in journalism was to kind
of graduate from that sort ofthing into the world of trade
media, because that's where itwas a little bit more easier to
make a living, if you will.
But it happens that in the townthat I was living in here in
Fort Atkinson, wisconsin, it'skind of a hotbed of trade media
and there was a company, johnsonHill Press, and they published
(13:57):
a bunch of construction titlesbut they also had airport
business and aircraftmaintenance technology, which
are ironically now part ofAviation Pros.
So my first job in trade mediawas for Airport Business
Magazine and so it was only ayear, but I was able to go to
several trade shows back in the90s for aviation.
(14:17):
So it's kind of a full circlemoment for me right now, you
know, coming back to thisindustry, and I'm excited to see
what will happen at Expo, ifI'll I mean, I don't think I'll
see a lot of faces that Iremember from 1995.
But but it's, it's kind of anice like tied up kind of circle
for me.
Matt Weitzel (14:36):
No, I love it.
Yeah, I'm excited, yeah, and soso you've been.
You've been dealing with kindof B2B businesses, writing,
being an editor for years andyears and years.
You're new to GSE, but you'redefinitely not new to anything
else you know as far as thatgoes.
So you've been to a lot ofexpos.
(14:57):
I'm sure.
Yes, you've been to Vegas acouple of times, right?
Jenny Lescohier (15:00):
Oh, you know, I think I can't even count, but I
bet it's getting close to 60times.
I'm not kidding because I meanat least twice a year for the
last almost 30 years, you know.
And so yeah, it's crazy.
Matt Weitzel (15:12):
No, there's a gambler's hotline we can hook
you up with, but we'll do itafter the show, for sure.
Yeah, all right.
So let's kind of dive into theshow now.
John, why don't you start?
We are going to talk about whatis new for 2025 at the GSE Expo
(15:33):
.
Jon Jezo (15:33):
For sure.
So a lot of new and excitingthings, as we have been kind of
revamping and taking feedbackfrom the IMMA membership and our
exhibitors and gaugingdifferent ideas and thoughts.
They have to tweak the show,something that's part of our
process after every show in anexhibition is gather that
feedback as we plan out for thenext event, and we got lots of
(15:56):
wonderful feedback coming off ofthe 2023 show.
So, with that said, we have afew new things.
One of those things is a new,enhanced demo zone.
So we now have the demo zone.
It's back, it's bigger,reimagined it as far as how it
works, how the exhibitors canpresent to all of the attendees,
(16:18):
but basically it's outdoors,outdoors, and the demo zone is
going to be given a new flavorin that there'll be some
scheduled presentation times inaddition to allowing exhibitors
to take their customers andattendees out to do a
demonstration whenever the timeis right for them.
With that, we're going to havesome afternoon scheduling of
basically a presentation fromeach of the demo zone
(16:40):
participants, and that's goingto be on Tuesday, wednesday and
Thursday in the afternoon andtheir shade, don't worry
everyone.
We know it's going to be hot,but we asked.
One of the enhancements andimprovements is that we have
added some shaded seating, someareas to sit and get some
refreshments, and then there'sgonna be some other fun and
exciting things from some of theexhibitors and that is some
(17:03):
prizes and giveaways.
It's all part of the exhibitorsand that is some prizes and
giveaways.
It's all part of the innovationhere for the Demo Zone and
really I must say Demo Zone.
A big piece to this, comingback, is a big thank you to one
of our sponsors, which is PCS,which is Powertrain Control
Solutions.
They stepped up in a big way toreally help us ramp up the demo
(17:24):
zone, make it bigger and betterthan it ever has been.
So big thank you to the PCScrew.
We're excited and we thank allof our attendees and exhibitors.
But we're excited too With that.
We have a couple other newthings and I think I'd like to
turn it over to Jen to speak tothem, because these are very
awesome things that IEMA hasreally helped us dream up.
Jennifer Zecchino (17:46):
Jen, you want to take it away.
Yeah, thank you, john.
So this year IEMA is going tohave a social gathering right
next to the demo zone and it iscalled the Layover Lounge.
So we have a subcommittee ofOEMs that join us every two
(18:07):
weeks and it's a bunch ofmarketing people and there's
other individuals that are onthere as well, and so we wanted
to rename it something a littlebit more creative.
So a shout out to Paul atMercury GSE for our new name,
the Layover Lounge.
So we're looking to invite allof our attendees and our members
(18:27):
to a very well shaded, covered,not air conditioned, but it's
got big fans in there.
That and snacks and beer andphotos and cornhole and just
something fun on the show floorthat everyone can kind of enjoy
kind of gathering around andkind of be social and not be
(18:48):
kind of drug into booths.
You know, and have to talk,talk, you know shop all the time
, but just really kind of letyour hair down and have a good
time.
So we're looking at good photoops, we're looking at also
promoting the women at GSEinside there as well Thursday
afternoon and kind of give backto that group where we're going
(19:08):
to be collecting.
We're going to be having aclothing drive for them, so
they'll be sharing that spacewith IEMA as well.
But we encourage everyone tocome into this space.
That will be covered.
We'll have plenty of seating,we'll have snacks, plenty of
water for everyone to grab.
So please help yourself, don'tbe shy.
We will be giving out thetickets for the beer.
(19:28):
They will be in your giveawaybags, your registration bags.
So when you guys get yourtickets, your registration badge
, make sure you grab an IEMA bagas well and that you get your
two beer tickets in there aswell, or soft drinks that you
can take there.
So we're just looking at havinga welcoming and very inviting
and open opportunity foreveryone to enjoy their time at
(19:51):
the show.
Matt Weitzel (19:52):
So sorry if I miss it.
Where is the Layover Loungelocated?
Jennifer Zecchino (19:56):
It is going to be right next to the demo
zone.
Matt Weitzel (19:58):
Okay.
Jennifer Zecchino (19:59):
Yeah, we're going to have the demo zone.
So if you open up the floorplan, the map on the GSE Expo
website, it will be right nextto it, so you'll see the demo
zone.
And then you'll see the layoverlounge right next to it, so
it'll be shaded again,well-fanned, plenty of water and
snacks for everyone.
And we really want to make thisa destination where the
(20:21):
feedback in 2023 was the demozone really got lost.
It was away from all of usexhibitors and it wasn't really
driving the foot traffic.
So we just want to let theexhibitors know we heard you
loud and clear, and thissubcommittee really helps with
that, because these are thelarger OEMs and we want to make
sure you know your voice isheard.
(20:42):
You know those surveys.
When they come back, we do takethem seriously.
You know we want to take actionon them.
We're not just answering themto just kill time, but that's
feedback for us to be better, sothat this show can be better
for you guys.
And that's what it's about.
We want it to be great for theexhibitors and we want the
attendees to have a good time aswell.
Without those two, we don'thave a show.
So, with that loud and clearvoice.
(21:03):
You know we're like yep, let'sdo this.
So if the demo zone and thelayover lounge will be outdoors
with the other outdoorexhibitors, it'll draw people to
you know again, want to staythere, want to share stories,
want to take pictures and haveyou know.
We want everyone to have a goodtime at the show.
Matt Weitzel (21:22):
Yeah, I think it's an amazing idea.
It's a good way to bring allthose people over near the demo
zone so that way they make surethat they know it's there right.
So if you make the layoverlounge, you know great, and you
give people free beer withtickets and stuff, they're going
to head over there, thenthey're going to see the demo
zone, they're going to see allthose new product innovations
those manufacturers have andkind of drive that traffic.
I think it's a fantastic idea.
(21:43):
Good job, guys.
I love it.
Thank you All right, so let'stalk about there's not going to
be golf this year through GSEExpo, but we're going to have a
beer garden.
Can somebody explain the beergarden to me?
Jennifer Zecchino (21:58):
So the beer garden is the layover lounge.
Matt Weitzel (22:01):
Okay, yeah, okay, same name different, two
different things, same thing.
Jennifer Zecchino (22:07):
So we wanted to get away from that stigma of
a beer garden.
Matt Weitzel (22:11):
Yeah.
Jennifer Zecchino (22:12):
And we wanted to make it more encompassing
for those that are drinkers andthose that are non-drinkers, but
instead open it up to theentire floor.
So we're like all are welcome.
Matt Weitzel (22:24):
I love it.
Jennifer Zecchino (22:24):
All are welcome to take photos.
All are welcome to join thetickets.
The two tickets are for everyattendee, so look for them.
You know, make sure you grabyour bag when you grab your
badge.
And again, another value add toour members they will get
additional tickets to hand totheir customers that they can
come back over to the lounge andget an extra beer cool off.
(22:45):
You know, just a nicer place tokind of take a break.
We're kind of in 2023.
We didn't really have a lot ofoutdoor shaded area, we didn't
have a lot of, you know, fans orcirculation, so we wanted to
again hearing everyone's voicein the survey.
We wanted to incorporate that.
So the beer garden now is thelayover lounge.
(23:07):
Okay so that's where we'll bewelcoming everyone, and we'll
also be having a retirementparty in there too.
One of our dear and belovedboard members, andreas Funk,
will be retiring at this show,and he's with Cobus and he's
near and dear to our heart.
He's a founding father, sowe'll be celebrating him and his
retirement in the layoverlounge as well.
Matt Weitzel (23:28):
So Okay, awesome.
I'm glad that I got someclarification on that, because I
had my lederhosen packed.
They were ready to go for thebeer garden and I'm just going
to go ahead and I'm going toleave those at home, because
that would be embarrassing if Iwere to show up at the layover
lounge with those on.
Jennifer Zecchino (23:42):
So, all right , I think you should bring them
that, because that would be agreat photo op we need photo
opportunities, so lederhosen areperfect.
Matt Weitzel (23:49):
Okay, yeah, and I'll bring my little German hat.
Jon Jezo (23:52):
We're comfortable with it, if you know, in the in the
oasis, and that's the other newthing here that we're bringing
to the outdoor area.
So I just want to touch on thata little bit.
Yeah, please, this is a newenhancement that goes alongside
with the beer garden that IEMAis doing for everyone.
But basically Oasis is a littlebit more chill place to relax.
(24:13):
It is again outdoors near thebeer garden, near the beer
garden, but basically once youget a beer or a beverage you'll
be able to hang out, watch somedemo zones, participants as they
take place and do thosedemonstrations and as some of
the exhibitors present their newequipment.
But basically, Oasis is a greatbig tented area that is brought
(24:34):
to you by PCS, PowertrainControl Solutions, but this is
to provide some reprieve fromthe heat.
It's going to have some fansand air movement in it, but also
have some nice relaxing chairsand things so people can kind of
hang out, especially as we'rewinding down the day and we're
watching some demos and enjoyingsome beverages there in the
layover lounge.
So that's something to lookforward to.
(24:56):
We'll have some different areasthere.
You can recharge phones anddifferent things like that, but
you will have a front row seatin the Oasis to watch any of the
action taking place in the demozone, and I will mention that
that Oasis is open for theduration of the show.
So throughout the day of theshow, if you need to sit down
and relax, you have a spot andlooking forward to seeing
(25:18):
everyone in there.
Because this is going to, asJen alluded to, we have some
exciting events taking place andsome honorary things here for
some of our newly retired.
Matt Weitzel (25:28):
Yeah, I can't wait .
I think this is going to be thebest show ever.
I'm not going to lie, I'mpretty excited about it.
You know, I think I've beengoing since 2008, 2007, 2008,
something like that, so, butit's every other year.
You know, I finally did get togo to the GSE Expo Europe in
2024 and saw Jen there.
Jennifer Zecchino (25:48):
Yes.
Matt Weitzel (25:49):
That was a fun show.
Jennifer Zecchino (25:50):
That was a good show.
We'll be going back there nextyear to Lisbon.
Matt Weitzel (25:54):
Okay, will it be in the same place?
Jennifer Zecchino (25:56):
It will Okay yeah.
Matt Weitzel (25:58):
Nice, all right.
And then, jenny, what are youmost looking forward to?
Because this will be your kindof your first time being able to
interact with so many people inthe GSE world all at one time,
all in one week.
So what are you really lookingforward to?
Jenny Lescohier (26:15):
Well, I am now.
I'm looking forward to theOasis and the beer.
Matt Weitzel (26:19):
Yeah, I know Right .
Yeah, I know right.
We all are.
We're all like, yeah, this isgoing to be awesome.
Jenny Lescohier (26:23):
Well, to be honest, I'm thinking back to the
early days of the trade showsthat I've been to and how we
always we'd go to the ones inEurope where it was more of a
party atmosphere, frankly, youknow.
And then, at least in theindustries that I was covering,
(26:46):
the United States shows were,you know more, all about
business, you know, and what youguys are describing is it's
exciting because it feels likeit's going to have like a
festive vibe about it, you know,and just sort of a theme of
getting together and makingconnections with new people and
sitting down and having arelaxing moment.
And I think that's great.
And so I'm excited about that,because the thing that I, you
know, I've only been with themagazine for six months and so I
(27:06):
haven't had a ton ofopportunities to actually meet
members of our audience and Ireally want to, you know, have
some sit down time with actualground support professionals who
are familiar with ourpublication and with aviation
pros and can talk to me aboutwhat is keeping them up at night
, so we can tailor our editorialgoing forward to the things
(27:29):
that are really important to ouraudience.
So I'm really excited aboutthat.
I'm also very intrigued aboutseeing some of this equipment
and, you know, wrapping my headaround what some of this new
technology is that I'm learningabout, because, as I said, I've
been writing about constructionequipment for a really long time
, and so this is in many ways ithas similarities, but obviously
(27:53):
it's very different.
So this will be an opportunityfor me to kick the tires, maybe
even I don't know get in behindthe wheel to see what it's like
and figure out what these thingsreally are.
So it's going to be a learningexperience for me from start to
finish.
Matt Weitzel (28:07):
Yeah, you're going to be hanging out in that demo
zone seeing what manufacturersare going to let you drive
around the equipment.
I like it, I think it's a greatidea.
Yeah, and then just, and thengo, go over to the layover
lounge.
You know, just don't drink anddrive.
Ok, that's, that's.
We're not asking much.
Ok, jenny, but just refrain.
Ok, yeah, this way till in theafternoon.
Jenny Lescohier (28:29):
Can I tell a quick story about?
Matt Weitzel (28:31):
Oh, please.
We love stories in the GSEpodcast.
Jenny Lescohier (28:34):
The very first trade show that I ever attended
in the equipment rental space.
Okay, it was a small regionalshow and it was in Fresno,
california.
It was in like the parking lotof some you know like hotel or
something, and these regionalreps had come with like one or
two pieces of equipment.
It wasn't a big thing, it wasjust to try to get local
(28:56):
equipment buyers exposed to theequipment.
And I want to say it was WackerNoisen and they had one of
their small double drumcompactors on site and they had
like a little course that youcould sort of operate it in just
to get a sense of it.
Not to really it's not going tobe compacting anything, but it
was just to show its handlingabilities or something.
(29:17):
And somebody on staff thoughtwell, this will be Jenny's first
time getting behind the wheelof any kind of equipment.
And so they put me in thislittle machine, and it wasn't
even intimidating, it was great,and it literally was the lever
goes forward to go forward andit goes backwards to go backward
, okay, and then the rest of it,you're just stealing it or
(29:37):
steering with the wheel.
And I got a little nervousthough, because it started to go
faster than I anticipated and Iknew that to stop it all I had
to do was move this lever intothe neutral position, but I, for
whatever reason in mynervousness, could not seem to
manage that.
So I'm barreling straight forsome of these other pieces of
(29:59):
equipment that are on displayand, like I could hear everybody
in the side, no, no, put it inneutral.
And finally one of the productmanagers kind of came over and
like, got it done for me, but itwas a close call.
Nothing was damaged, butdefinitely not going to be
having any beverages before Iget behind the wheel.
Matt Weitzel (30:20):
Yeah, and I think that whole letting manufacturers
demo their equipment I don'tthink that's happening anymore.
After this story, I thinkeverybody's going to go.
You know what?
We listened to the podcast.
We're good.
There's a great passenger seat,though We'll let you in that.
Jenny Lescohier (30:33):
Yeah, that's about right Now.
Matt Weitzel (30:36):
Jen, it's your turn now, because I didn't.
I didn't really expect to dostories, but now that we're,
we're telling, you know, expostories.
Oh no, what the heck.
You know, let's go for one.
Or does John want to go?
John's got like a million, butI'm sure he'd have to, like take
(30:56):
out manufacturers, names andstatements they may or may not
have made.
Oh gosh, you don't, you don't,you don't have a good one, jen.
Jennifer Zecchino (31:04):
I'm trying to think of one.
Oh my gosh.
Matt Weitzel (31:07):
I mean, while you're thinking I can tell, I
can tell one.
I don't think I told this storyon the podcast, but I may have.
So excuse the audience if Ihave, but I think it was edited
out.
So I, you know, I think we'll,we'll, we'll tell it.
Um, so, basically I was, I have, but I think it was edited out.
So, uh, you know, I think we'll, we'll, we'll tell it.
Um, so basically I was, I was,it was my first time going to.
Well, I think it was my secondtime going to a show and I was
(31:27):
in charge of the setup, justlike I am now.
I haven't really moved up in mycareer at all Um and um, and so
I I got to leave the show earlybefore breakdown and we had
this huge crate and I was soexcited because the guys said
that they would do it and I'dalways done the breakdown and
the crate gets delivered.
I'm on the road, I'm drivingfrom Vegas to LA when I get the
(31:50):
phone call that I have the keysto the lock for the crate and
they couldn't get the crate openand I was halfway to Los
Angeles in a vehicle.
So anyway, it did not go well.
People were not happy with meand they ended up having to find
bolt cutters to unlock thecrate.
(32:10):
And yeah, I kind of got introuble for that.
Oh no, yeah.
It wasn't a great moment.
I've got plenty of moments likethat.
We could go on for days, butI'll let John go.
It seems like John's got areally good one.
He's got brewing here.
Jon Jezo (32:25):
Lots of great stories of over all the years of the GSC
Expo event.
I think probably one of themore memorable ones is one of my
first times being involved withthe GSC Expo, which would have
been in the earlier days of likeno, maybe 2007, 2008.
Being fairly new to the GSEside of things, I was very
(32:46):
excited First time going to abig trade show like this, first
time being involved on thehosting side.
So a lot of exciting things anda lot of the things we do are
tied in closely with our mediabrand partners from Endeavor
Business Media.
So, specifically, groundSupport Worldwide.
As you heard from Jenny Leskohere just a moment ago, she is
our editor.
(33:06):
So, by the way, anybody lookingto get the word out on your new
products and any new andexciting technologies or service
offerings, jenny is the one youwant to hit up.
She will be all over the showand very excited to learn about
your products and help educateall of our readers.
But one of the things for themagazine side of things is back
(33:27):
in the day we used to distributewhat we had for the show
dailies.
Everybody remembers the showdailies, right?
You know the folks that standthere and are slapping you with
a magazine as you're enteringthe exhibit area each morning.
Well, that's a very excitingthing, but I'll tell you on the
backside it's a lot of workbecause that's all your show
(33:49):
coverage, all of the contentwe're capturing, all the new
exciting product revealing that.
You got to summarize and thenproduce that printed magazine
overnight.
You got to summarize and thenproduce that printed magazine
overnight and, being a littletoo excited about it, we thought
it'd be wonderful.
Let's get it to all of ourexhibitors and attendees before
(34:10):
they get to the show the nextmorning.
That'll be wonderful.
We got all the hotel blocks andwe were going to go and deliver
them door to door during thenight in Las Vegas.
Matt Weitzel (34:22):
No way.
Jon Jezo (34:23):
Sounds great when those ideas came out.
Probably should have asked afew more questions.
Yeah, Primarily like whoexactly would be distributing
those magazines and that showdaily?
Yeah, Ah, yes, John, that wasyou the new guy.
So, yes, in a typical Vegasfashion, as we are headed back
(34:48):
to our room at 7 am after beingup all night producing a
magazine and then delivering itto all of the different hotels
for all of the attendees andexhibitors.
Those are the fun times and,believe it or not, people
definitely party in Vegas andyou wouldn't believe how many
you may see in an elevator justwinding their night down at 7 am
.
(35:09):
We pulled it off with successand it's something that you know
.
With all the technologies wehave now and everything being
digitized for the most part it'ssomething we can get the
communications out and all thenew products and services things
out much faster.
We don't need to do the showdaily.
We've kind of spun it into somevideo so there'll be some daily
video wrap up going that Jennyand the rest of the editorial
(35:30):
team from Ground SupportWorldwide will be doing their
coverage throughout the show.
So you can look forward toseeing those videos and synopsis
of all the new products.
But one of the other big pieceswe do is our daily newsletter,
so stay in tuned.
Hopefully you're able to makeit to the show, but if not,
we'll have some summaries comingout each day with all the new
happenings and launches andproducts and exciting things
(35:51):
from the GAC Expo.
But yeah, good times, it's oneof those things Careful what you
commit to.
But maybe just ask a few morequestions before you.
Matt Weitzel (36:00):
Yeah Well, I've never even.
You know you don't think aboutwhen you don't have to do it,
right, you're just you don'tthink about oh, how do these
dailies get done, Right, like,you know who's staying up all
night to write up this stuff andthen get it printed and get it
to the show and all thedifferent things that you know.
You just figure somebody'sdoing or you don't even thinking
about it because it's not yourresponsibility.
(36:20):
But then when you justexplained, it started like
getting a cold sweat.
I'm like that seems like a lotof work.
I mean, that is, that is a tonman.
I can't believe that that iscrazy.
So nobody, nobody, can expectJohn showing up to their hotel
room at 7 am.
Everybody can just, you know,watch the videos that Jenny's
going to do at their leisure,and yeah, that's.
(36:42):
I think that's a much bettersolution to your problems.
All right, jen.
Jennifer Zecchino (36:46):
Oh my gosh, this is bad.
This is why I don't driveequipment at all, why I'm not
allowed.
So kind of like Jenny, you knowthe equipment's not supposed to
be terribly difficult to drive,right when it's like supposed
to be, just getting in your carand starting it.
And you know, kind of like you,matt I don't know if my career
has progressed I've been settingup trade show booths.
Matt Weitzel (37:09):
Exactly yeah, yeah , we're doing great.
Jennifer Zecchino (37:12):
We might be in the same boat here, but I do
genuinely love everything I do,so maybe that's why you and I
just are stuck where we're at,because we, you know, it's not
every day people get to say thatthey love what they do.
Matt Weitzel (37:24):
Exactly.
Jennifer Zecchino (37:25):
I literally can say I genuinely love what I
do every single day.
Matt Weitzel (37:28):
Plus, I would complain so much if somebody
else did it because it wouldn'tbe done the way that I would
have done it.
So I guess I can't reallycomplain about it.
So All right, go ahead.
Jennifer Zecchino (37:37):
So we win, so we get to do this.
So I'm getting a booth set upfor the GSC Expo and I am not
sure what in God's green earth Iwas thinking, but I was like I
got this.
I can drive a tractor with noproblem.
I can drive a car.
I'm good at this.
I've taken kids, you know, toand from carpool.
People trust me with their kids.
I can definitely be trustedwith a piece of equipment right?
(37:59):
Can definitely be trusted witha piece of equipment, right.
Yeah, when there's anelectrical box involved and you
don't have a spotter at a showand you think you know what
you're doing and someone tellsyou to stop and you run over an
electrical box, oh yeah, thatcauses a lot of issues to the
equipment.
Matt Weitzel (38:14):
That's shocking.
No pun intended.
All right, Keep going.
No pun intended smarty pants,so yeah, unfortunately.
All right, you don't have to goany further.
I think we got the gist of it.
That's amazing, so bad.
So what, Jenny?
Actually?
You know, with hers at least itdidn't actually happen, with
(38:36):
yours it definitely happened.
Jennifer Zecchino (38:40):
It happened and I mean I'm so glad I have
friends in all kinds of placesthat can cover up my big
boo-boos.
So thank you for everyone thereto help me through that.
But yeah, I was not able todrive equipment.
Matt Weitzel (38:53):
Yeah, you're done.
Yeah, so you're not going to.
Okay, so you'll be in thelayover lounge with Jenny.
John and I are still allowed todrive equipment.
That's what I'm hearing.
Yeah.
Jennifer Zecchino (39:04):
You would be correct, matt, a hundred percent
.
Matt Weitzel (39:06):
Yes, that is unbelievable.
What a great story.
Good, well, I'm so glad thatJenny kicked us off with telling
stories, because I had a greattime.
And, jenny, did you havesomething that you were going to
kind of talk about with theexpo that we haven't released
yet?
Is that still the case, or havewe released everything that we
(39:26):
can be talking about at themoment?
Jenny Lescohier (39:29):
There is one thing Ground Support Worldwide
annually has its Leaders of theYear Awards program and we just
completed that in the May-Juneissue, which is probably hitting
people's mailboxes this week.
And so we have those winners,we'll be accepting their awards
officially at Expo and we'll behaving a very small well,
(39:50):
hopefully not small, I shouldsay it's modest because there
are only five winners but wewould like to get as many people
as we could to come and, youknow, congratulate the winners
and enjoy just the honoring ofthese professionals.
So stay tuned for moreinformation on when exactly and
where exactly that ceremony willtake place, but it will be on
(40:13):
September 16th, likely at theGround Support Worldwide booth,
and I don't know, john, if wehave a number on that yet, but
that's probably all to bedetermined.
But stay tuned for moreinformation.
We're excited to give someaccolades to those people who
have really excelled at whatthey do, and so, yeah, that's
something that we've got planned.
Other than that, like John said, I'll be looking for new
(40:37):
product information.
If somebody wants me to comeand learn about their equipment,
please let me know they canemail me.
Matt Weitzel (40:51):
I'm at jlescohair at endeavorb2bcom and that's a
lot of spelling.
I won't.
That's easy.
I'll put that in the show notes.
Okay, I'm going to put Jen'semail in the show notes.
I'll put your email in the shownotes so that way everybody can
check that stuff, becausethere's no way y'all are getting
all those spellings correct onall that stuff.
Jenny Lescohier (41:06):
Right, nice.
But yeah, I'm looking forwardto meeting everybody and I hope,
if you you know, see my name orknow who I am, flag me down If
you've got stories to tell.
Matt Weitzel (41:15):
That's why I'm yeah you're going to wear some
like bright outfits and stuffbecause people don't know who
you are, right?
So you have to like stand out alittle bit, so that way, when
you're walking by, people likewho's that?
Jenny Lescohier (41:26):
And then you know, I think we'll be well
branded Right, John, we're goingto have yeah, I think we have
yeah.
Matt Weitzel (41:30):
OK, you're going to be.
Jon Jezo (41:31):
you're going to be grounds for worldwide polos,
things like that Something fancycolor-coordinated team, you bet
, easy to find and running allover, that's for sure.
Matt Weitzel (41:43):
Yeah, you'll be refilling the bathrooms with all
kinds of XSEED stuff.
I mean, I know what you'regoing to be doing, of course,
all right.
So my last question is, john,so what does participation from
the exhibitor standpoint andattendees standpoint look like
compared to 2023?
We looking up.
Jon Jezo (42:03):
Yes, absolutely looking up.
I don't want to jinx anything,so I don't want to say too much,
but it is looking very strong.
Registration orpre-registration is definitely
up, which is a great sign.
I think one of the things thatwe're hearing is that a lot of
products that were you knowduring the COVID times it seems
like there was a lot of productdevelopment that was you know.
(42:24):
R&d people dove back in andthen COVID threw some wrinkles
and things of course for productdelays or parts supplies,
whatnot.
So it's taken a little bit, butI think a lot of the new and
exciting products, especially alot of the stuff on the
sustainability side for electricvehicles and charging
technology a lot of these thingsare coming out, they're being
(42:44):
released, the curtains arecoming off.
So I think that's somethingeverybody should be really
excited to see as we move theGSD market forward to the future
and electrifying it.
That's something I think that'sgoing to be a bigger piece
every year for this show, butwe're very excited for that.
Really.
I think the big thing is thedemo zone.
That's a big piece to why wehave the demo zone.
(43:05):
Electric vehicles are certainlyimportant, but you just can't
drive around inside the halllike we can outside.
So that's a big piece to thatdemo zone to give everyone that
opportunity for that experienceand get behind the wheel and
make sure that piece ofequipment is the right fit for
their business.
Matt Weitzel (43:23):
I love it.
Yeah, I'm really excited aboutthat this year.
I think it's going to befantastic that you all have put
so much thought and effort intogetting people over there and
testing out those pieces ofequipment.
I know that'll help out themanufacturers a lot for people
to be able to jump on and seewhat those things look like in
real life and be able to drivethem around and all that kind of
(43:45):
stuff, touch them, feel them,kick the tires, all that kind of
stuff.
So that's awesome.
Anything else from anybody?
I think we've pretty muchcovered it.
I think we got some excitementgoing for the expo.
I know I'm very excited aboutit.
But any closing remarks fromanybody, anything that I've left
out I haven't asked about.
Jon Jezo (44:03):
I would just like to say anyone who's looking for
more information or hasn'tregistered to attend, or if you
are looking for a vivid space,you can visit gseexpocom and get
all the information you wouldneed, and it's something that
registration will be open for abit yet, so there's no worries
If you're an attendee, getyourself registered and you can
(44:23):
formulate your plan.
There's going to be a lot ofmore exciting announcements
coming.
We do have an app mobile appcoming this year, so there'll be
more things to book somemeetings and stay tuned for that
in a few weeks.
Matt Weitzel (44:35):
Oh, I didn't know.
There's a mobile app coming.
That's amazing.
And then any sponsorship stuff.
Is there any availablesponsorships that are still out
there that are available forpeople to purchase?
Jon Jezo (44:44):
Yes, thank you for bringing that up, matt.
There are.
We have actually created a fewnew ones here in the past week.
The final details here will becoming out this week here
actually, and I would say byWednesday this week, with some
new exciting opportunities here.
We'll be getting those out toall of our exhibitors for those
opportunities to be explored.
Matt Weitzel (45:03):
Okay, awesome, so look out for the emails on new
sponsorships.
All right, well, thank you allso much for taking the time to
talk to me today and sharing allyour stories, and I can't wait
to see everybody in Las Vegas.
Jon Jezo (45:18):
Likewise, Matt.
Thanks for having us.
We're all excited andappreciate your time All right.
Jennifer Zecchino (45:23):
Thank you, matt, thank you.
Matt Weitzel (45:25):
Thank you, bye, bye.
Thank you for tuning in to thisepisode of the GSE Podcast.
We hope you found itinformative and engaging.
If this episode resonated withyou, please share it with your
colleagues and peers in theground support equipment
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(45:48):
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Your feedback not onlyencourages us, but also helps
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Keep an eye out for moreepisodes as we continue to
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Thank you for listening to theGSE podcast.
Until we meet again, staygrounded and keep pushing
(46:10):
forward.
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If you're a customer of eithercompany, rest assured this
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Fortbrand has retained all ofits employees, as well as the
(00:21):
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We'll dive deeper into whatthis means in future episodes,
(00:43):
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(01:28):
All right, well, welcome to theGSE podcast.
I'm Matt Weitzel and I'm herewith Jennifer Zucchino, john
Jezzo and Jenny Leskoher.
How's it going Good, doing good.
Jon Jezo (01:42):
Doing great.
Matt, Thanks for having us.
Matt Weitzel (01:44):
Yeah, we're here to talk about the GSE Expo in
Las Vegas that's coming up inSeptember and I think we are
going to have a great timediscussing what everybody can
look forward to and what isupcoming.
And everybody can kind of diveinto this show as they fly in to
(02:05):
Las Vegas and figure out whatthey're going to do when they
get there.
What's going to look like andwhat is this beer garden about.
That sounds wonderful, yeah, Ithink so A lot of exciting
things to cover.
Yeah, exactly.
So, Jen, we're going to startwith you.
Why don't you kind of talkabout IEMA and talk about
yourself for a little bit, andthen any kind of like tidbits
(02:26):
you want to give us on the show?
Jennifer Zecchino (02:28):
Great.
Well, thank you, matt, forhaving me a part of this podcast
, and IEMA is very honored andwe look forward to having you
and Exceed exhibit with us atthe upcoming GSE Expo as well,
on the 16th through the 18th ofSeptember.
So I do represent IEMA.
I am an executive director.
I have been on the IEMA boardfor eight years now and have
(02:52):
enjoyed every minute of it.
I've enjoyed working with greatpeople like John, and Jenny is
new to the team but, matt, withyour company as well, iema has
been around since 2009.
For those of you that don't know, we've been around for quite
some time and we have partneredwith kind of a long partner
standing relationship withEndeavor on this show.
(03:14):
We used to kind of in the past,just have a show every other
year and Endeavor was ourpartner, iema's partner, with
that.
They did all the really theheavy lifting.
They do all of the sales.
That's John's team and Alicia.
They do all the marketing forus.
They work with Shepard FullCircle.
Everyone that is exhibitingthere will have touch points
(03:36):
with all of those companies andthat's all with leadership of
Endeavor and us working togetherclosely with IEMA so they help
us pick our venues.
We will be announcing a new one,but it won't be till the show.
So that's exciting.
I can't wait for that to comeand that announcement as well.
But we work very closely withEndeavor, so it's a great
(03:58):
relationship with IEMA.
I have moved into a new rolewhere I'm not in a leadership
position with them now, butinstead the executive director
role where I really kind of herdcats, if you will.
I've got seven board membersall across the GSE platform with
.
We've got Cobus, we've got, youknow, tld, the Elvest family,
(04:21):
we've got Oshkosh Aerotech,vestigard, a part of the board
Malahan, powerstow and ournewest board member with ACT,
which is Advanced ChargingTechnologies.
So I get to work very, veryclosely with those board members
to be able to give you guys thebest show along with Endeavor
that we can every other year.
(04:42):
So we look forward to thatpartnership a lot with.
Matt Weitzel (04:44):
Endeavor that we can every other year.
So we look forward to thatpartnership a lot.
That's amazing.
Thank you so much for fillingus in on that, jen John.
Kind of explain from yourperspective how Endeavor works
with IEMA and then kind ofintroduce yourself a little bit.
Jon Jezo (04:56):
Sure thing.
Thank you, matt, and thanks forhaving me.
My name is John Juzzo and I ama sales manager with Endeavor
Business Media.
We are the partner with IEMA tohost the International GSE Expo
that will be in Las Vegas thisyear and, for anybody wondering
date specific, it'd be September16th through the 18th right at
(05:17):
the Las Vegas Convention Center.
So, looking forward to that.
Basically, my role in thissales organization and trade
show event is to help everyonewho's exhibiting get set up with
their booth, choose the spacekind of work out.
Some of those display differentnuances that they want to
present, but overall I helpmanage the trade show floor and
(05:39):
sell booths.
So we're very excited.
It's been a very strong year.
Right now, overall, what we'relooking at is about 210
exhibitors to date that are onboard and will be displaying
brand new products, lots of newunveilings.
So we're very excited for thatis.
(06:03):
We work very closely with Jen'steam at IEMA to make sure all
the final details are executedjust so perfectly and all the
sponsorships and things areexecuted and set up for all of
our attendees.
With that said, this year hasgot to change in the show a
little bit and it's all great.
It's going to be a larger venuefrom what we had in the past.
Specifically, we are upthousands of square feet as
(06:26):
exhibitors have kind of shiftedtheir minds and gone with much
larger display, and I think thatcoincides with the excitement
that's been building with a lotof the new products that are
coming.
There's a lot of big productscoming, which is very exciting,
but right now we're looking atlike 200,000 square feet indoors
and out here of all sorts ofnew GSE products, technologies,
(06:48):
service offering, really, youname it One of those things that
right now pacing is going verywell.
Or we're looking at registrationlooks very strong.
So we are pacing up from yearsprior.
So 2023, which is a great event, but we are still on board and
expecting maybe 2,000, 2,500attendees, which is great, right
(07:09):
?
I mean it's definitely an eventthat, if you're in the GAC
market, you're likely going tobe at the GAC Expo and along
with that, we encourage all ofour GAC Expo partners to become
IEMA members.
That's just something thathelps really better the industry
and the market and we lookforward to having everyone's
input and participation as wemove the world forward in GSE.
Matt Weitzel (07:33):
Yeah, I would be shocked if somebody wasn't an
IEMA member.
So, jen, what percentage are welooking at of IEMA members to
exhibitors?
Do you know, or just a guess atleast members and then two
exhibitors.
Do you know?
Jennifer Zecchino (07:46):
or just a guess.
At least so believe it or not.
Only a fourth are actuallymembers.
Matt Weitzel (07:50):
Oh, wow, Okay, yeah, and I think that, well
then, this is great, right,Because you know a lot of people
listen to this podcast.
Maybe they don't know what IEMAis and now they can look at
maybe getting a membership for2027, or it'll also help out
with GSE Expo Europe, I imaginein 2026.
Jennifer Zecchino (08:11):
Is that correct?
That is correct.
So what we were doing soeffective.
Actually, tomorrow is your lastday that you can become an IEMA
member, so 1st of July 2025 isthe last day you can become an
IEMA member for the 2025 show,which then IEMA and Endeavor
since we are partneredgenerously gives you a 10% off
discount just for your show,amongst other things, and then
(08:35):
we'll start up our 2026membership September 1.
And that then will help withour GSE Expo Europe show.
Matt Weitzel (08:43):
Okay so, and then everybody can go online to what?
To get that information.
Jennifer Zecchino (08:48):
So the best thing for them to do is we do
have a fairly new website.
You can go to info at IEMAorgand request information to
become an IEMA member.
The best is to really reach outto me directly at jmatasy
M-A-T-A-S-Y at iemaorg andrequest to be a member, and then
(09:14):
I will go ahead and forward youyour annual invoice, monthly or
annual dues, which is actuallyonly a thousand dollars, which
does a lot more.
It's really grown our platformof what we've given our members.
It used to be just the 10%, butwe've gotten a lot of feedback
and want to retain our membersand want that really to grow.
(09:35):
And so now what we have done iswe have not just one show every
other year.
We do have a show now everyyear, one in the um in the U?
S, and then one in Europe, andthen we also offer a lot of
marketing collateral.
So you'll see it at the show indifferent areas, whether it's
at the booth, whether it isaisle flags, whether it's a
fence banner.
(09:55):
We also are doing a lot more onsocial media and promoting a
lot of our new members.
Our board Endeavor has beenvery generous as well and gives
out a substantial discount onany advertising and Jenny will
probably cover that as well onthe publication side.
And also IEMA gives back to ourmembers at the end of every
show.
(10:16):
In the 2023 show with Endeavor,anyone who was an active IEMA
member got their entire electricbill paid for for just being an
IEMA member.
Matt Weitzel (10:27):
I remember that I was so happy about that.
Jennifer Zecchino (10:31):
It didn't matter the cost.
You know, the board said wewant to give back and our
members spoke and they said thebest way for you to get back
would be to just pay ourelectric bill, because that was
their biggest expense.
So this year we're going to beputting out to our members hey,
what is helpful.
And, as John kind of covered,we've grown so much with the
floor space that so many of ourmanufacturers have actually gone
(10:52):
indoors because Las Vegas isgetting hotter and the air
conditioning it's hard to reallyput air conditioning in those
tents.
So you'll notice that a lot ofour larger OEMs are now indoors.
We still have a great, a greatoutdoor space and exhibit as
well.
But it's a shift in the climate.
It's a shift in what people aredoing, going electric, it's you
(11:12):
know.
So the board will look at thatand we will vote and then we
will be sending out a message toour members that our members
July 1 and before and they willbenefit from being a part of
(11:36):
this, I think almost ever sinceI started at XSEED, because when
I was working for TUG, nowTextron GSE, they were obviously
members of IEMA since thebeginning and I knew the value.
Matt Weitzel (11:50):
So XSEED joined right away and I definitely see
the value in it and I'm gladthat you kind of was able to
give everybody an overview ofwhat IEMA is and what IEMA does
for their members.
I'm a big fan of padding myselfunderneath the carpet.
I go with the biggest paddingpossible.
They got two inch.
(12:11):
I'm going two inch paddingbecause there's nothing worse
than standing on concrete forthree days straight.
It's miserable.
So, matt, goes big on thepadding.
So, just like, just FYI for allthose exhibitors that are
listening to this right now, gobig on the padding.
You're not going to regret it.
Your feet are going to thankyou at the end of the show.
Jon Jezo (12:28):
So that was my public service announcement.
You were spot on, matt.
Matt Weitzel (12:32):
Great note, great note yeah yeah, I've been doing
this for a while, so, all right,let's meet.
Jenny, why don't you introduceyourself?
You are fairly new to GSE.
Jenny Lescohier (12:47):
I am, I am.
Thank you, matt.
I'm happy to be here.
I just joined the staff inJanuary of this year, so I'm
about six months in.
I'm new to aviation, kind of.
I have spent the last 25-someyears writing for trade media,
but more in the construction andequipment rental spaces, and so
you know I'm coming in from theperspective.
There are a lot of similarities, surprisingly, between that
(13:08):
industry and aviation, or atleast in the ground support
segment of it, because it allcomes down to fleet management.
You know that's like bigequipment fleets and that's
something that I've beencovering for decades.
But just a fun fact is Iactually started in aviation for
a very tiny hot minute there in1994 and 95 when I left my
(13:34):
newspaper job and the big holygrail in journalism was to kind
of graduate from that sort ofthing into the world of trade
media, because that's where itwas a little bit more easier to
make a living, if you will.
But it happens that in the townthat I was living in here in
Fort Atkinson, wisconsin, it'skind of a hotbed of trade media
and there was a company, johnsonHill Press, and they published
(13:57):
a bunch of construction titlesbut they also had airport
business and aircraftmaintenance technology, which
are ironically now part ofAviation Pros.
So my first job in trade mediawas for Airport Business
Magazine and so it was only ayear, but I was able to go to
several trade shows back in the90s for aviation.
(14:17):
So it's kind of a full circlemoment for me right now, you
know, coming back to thisindustry, and I'm excited to see
what will happen at Expo, ifI'll I mean, I don't think I'll
see a lot of faces that Iremember from 1995.
But but it's, it's kind of anice like tied up kind of circle
for me.
Matt Weitzel (14:36):
No, I love it.
Yeah, I'm excited, yeah, and soso you've been.
You've been dealing with kindof B2B businesses, writing,
being an editor for years andyears and years.
You're new to GSE, but you'redefinitely not new to anything
else you know as far as thatgoes.
So you've been to a lot ofexpos.
(14:57):
I'm sure.
Yes, you've been to Vegas acouple of times, right?
Jenny Lescohier (15:00):
Oh, you know, I think I can't even count, but I
bet it's getting close to 60times.
I'm not kidding because I meanat least twice a year for the
last almost 30 years, you know.
And so yeah, it's crazy.
Matt Weitzel (15:12):
No, there's a gambler's hotline we can hook
you up with, but we'll do itafter the show, for sure.
Yeah, all right.
So let's kind of dive into theshow now.
John, why don't you start?
We are going to talk about whatis new for 2025 at the GSE Expo
(15:33):
.
Jon Jezo (15:33):
For sure.
So a lot of new and excitingthings, as we have been kind of
revamping and taking feedbackfrom the IMMA membership and our
exhibitors and gaugingdifferent ideas and thoughts.
They have to tweak the show,something that's part of our
process after every show in anexhibition is gather that
feedback as we plan out for thenext event, and we got lots of
(15:56):
wonderful feedback coming off ofthe 2023 show.
So, with that said, we have afew new things.
One of those things is a new,enhanced demo zone.
So we now have the demo zone.
It's back, it's bigger,reimagined it as far as how it
works, how the exhibitors canpresent to all of the attendees,
(16:18):
but basically it's outdoors,outdoors, and the demo zone is
going to be given a new flavorin that there'll be some
scheduled presentation times inaddition to allowing exhibitors
to take their customers andattendees out to do a
demonstration whenever the timeis right for them.
With that, we're going to havesome afternoon scheduling of
basically a presentation fromeach of the demo zone
(16:40):
participants, and that's goingto be on Tuesday, wednesday and
Thursday in the afternoon andtheir shade, don't worry
everyone.
We know it's going to be hot,but we asked.
One of the enhancements andimprovements is that we have
added some shaded seating, someareas to sit and get some
refreshments, and then there'sgonna be some other fun and
exciting things from some of theexhibitors and that is some
(17:03):
prizes and giveaways.
It's all part of the exhibitorsand that is some prizes and
giveaways.
It's all part of the innovationhere for the Demo Zone and
really I must say Demo Zone.
A big piece to this, comingback, is a big thank you to one
of our sponsors, which is PCS,which is Powertrain Control
Solutions.
They stepped up in a big way toreally help us ramp up the demo
(17:24):
zone, make it bigger and betterthan it ever has been.
So big thank you to the PCScrew.
We're excited and we thank allof our attendees and exhibitors.
But we're excited too With that.
We have a couple other newthings and I think I'd like to
turn it over to Jen to speak tothem, because these are very
awesome things that IEMA hasreally helped us dream up.
Jennifer Zecchino (17:46):
Jen, you want to take it away.
Yeah, thank you, john.
So this year IEMA is going tohave a social gathering right
next to the demo zone and it iscalled the Layover Lounge.
So we have a subcommittee ofOEMs that join us every two
(18:07):
weeks and it's a bunch ofmarketing people and there's
other individuals that are onthere as well, and so we wanted
to rename it something a littlebit more creative.
So a shout out to Paul atMercury GSE for our new name,
the Layover Lounge.
So we're looking to invite allof our attendees and our members
(18:27):
to a very well shaded, covered,not air conditioned, but it's
got big fans in there.
That and snacks and beer andphotos and cornhole and just
something fun on the show floorthat everyone can kind of enjoy
kind of gathering around andkind of be social and not be
(18:48):
kind of drug into booths.
You know, and have to talk,talk, you know shop all the time
, but just really kind of letyour hair down and have a good
time.
So we're looking at good photoops, we're looking at also
promoting the women at GSEinside there as well Thursday
afternoon and kind of give backto that group where we're going
(19:08):
to be collecting.
We're going to be having aclothing drive for them, so
they'll be sharing that spacewith IEMA as well.
But we encourage everyone tocome into this space.
That will be covered.
We'll have plenty of seating,we'll have snacks, plenty of
water for everyone to grab.
So please help yourself, don'tbe shy.
We will be giving out thetickets for the beer.
(19:28):
They will be in your giveawaybags, your registration bags.
So when you guys get yourtickets, your registration badge
, make sure you grab an IEMA bagas well and that you get your
two beer tickets in there aswell, or soft drinks that you
can take there.
So we're just looking at havinga welcoming and very inviting
and open opportunity foreveryone to enjoy their time at
(19:51):
the show.
Matt Weitzel (19:52):
So sorry if I miss it.
Where is the Layover Loungelocated?
Jennifer Zecchino (19:56):
It is going to be right next to the demo
zone.
Matt Weitzel (19:58):
Okay.
Jennifer Zecchino (19:59):
Yeah, we're going to have the demo zone.
So if you open up the floorplan, the map on the GSE Expo
website, it will be right nextto it, so you'll see the demo
zone.
And then you'll see the layoverlounge right next to it, so
it'll be shaded again,well-fanned, plenty of water and
snacks for everyone.
And we really want to make thisa destination where the
(20:21):
feedback in 2023 was the demozone really got lost.
It was away from all of usexhibitors and it wasn't really
driving the foot traffic.
So we just want to let theexhibitors know we heard you
loud and clear, and thissubcommittee really helps with
that, because these are thelarger OEMs and we want to make
sure you know your voice isheard.
(20:42):
You know those surveys.
When they come back, we do takethem seriously.
You know we want to take actionon them.
We're not just answering themto just kill time, but that's
feedback for us to be better, sothat this show can be better
for you guys.
And that's what it's about.
We want it to be great for theexhibitors and we want the
attendees to have a good time aswell.
Without those two, we don'thave a show.
So, with that loud and clearvoice.
(21:03):
You know we're like yep, let'sdo this.
So if the demo zone and thelayover lounge will be outdoors
with the other outdoorexhibitors, it'll draw people to
you know again, want to staythere, want to share stories,
want to take pictures and haveyou know.
We want everyone to have a goodtime at the show.
Matt Weitzel (21:22):
Yeah, I think it's an amazing idea.
It's a good way to bring allthose people over near the demo
zone so that way they make surethat they know it's there right.
So if you make the layoverlounge, you know great, and you
give people free beer withtickets and stuff, they're going
to head over there, thenthey're going to see the demo
zone, they're going to see allthose new product innovations
those manufacturers have andkind of drive that traffic.
I think it's a fantastic idea.
(21:43):
Good job, guys.
I love it.
Thank you All right, so let'stalk about there's not going to
be golf this year through GSEExpo, but we're going to have a
beer garden.
Can somebody explain the beergarden to me?
Jennifer Zecchino (21:58):
So the beer garden is the layover lounge.
Matt Weitzel (22:01):
Okay, yeah, okay, same name different, two
different things, same thing.
Jennifer Zecchino (22:07):
So we wanted to get away from that stigma of
a beer garden.
Matt Weitzel (22:11):
Yeah.
Jennifer Zecchino (22:12):
And we wanted to make it more encompassing
for those that are drinkers andthose that are non-drinkers, but
instead open it up to theentire floor.
So we're like all are welcome.
Matt Weitzel (22:24):
I love it.
Jennifer Zecchino (22:24):
All are welcome to take photos.
All are welcome to join thetickets.
The two tickets are for everyattendee, so look for them.
You know, make sure you grabyour bag when you grab your
badge.
And again, another value add toour members they will get
additional tickets to hand totheir customers that they can
come back over to the lounge andget an extra beer cool off.
(22:45):
You know, just a nicer place tokind of take a break.
We're kind of in 2023.
We didn't really have a lot ofoutdoor shaded area, we didn't
have a lot of, you know, fans orcirculation, so we wanted to
again hearing everyone's voicein the survey.
We wanted to incorporate that.
So the beer garden now is thelayover lounge.
(23:07):
Okay so that's where we'll bewelcoming everyone, and we'll
also be having a retirementparty in there too.
One of our dear and belovedboard members, andreas Funk,
will be retiring at this show,and he's with Cobus and he's
near and dear to our heart.
He's a founding father, sowe'll be celebrating him and his
retirement in the layoverlounge as well.
Matt Weitzel (23:28):
So Okay, awesome.
I'm glad that I got someclarification on that, because I
had my lederhosen packed.
They were ready to go for thebeer garden and I'm just going
to go ahead and I'm going toleave those at home, because
that would be embarrassing if Iwere to show up at the layover
lounge with those on.
Jennifer Zecchino (23:42):
So, all right , I think you should bring them
that, because that would be agreat photo op we need photo
opportunities, so lederhosen areperfect.
Matt Weitzel (23:49):
Okay, yeah, and I'll bring my little German hat.
Jon Jezo (23:52):
We're comfortable with it, if you know, in the in the
oasis, and that's the other newthing here that we're bringing
to the outdoor area.
So I just want to touch on thata little bit.
Yeah, please, this is a newenhancement that goes alongside
with the beer garden that IEMAis doing for everyone.
But basically Oasis is a littlebit more chill place to relax.
(24:13):
It is again outdoors near thebeer garden, near the beer
garden, but basically once youget a beer or a beverage you'll
be able to hang out, watch somedemo zones, participants as they
take place and do thosedemonstrations and as some of
the exhibitors present their newequipment.
But basically, Oasis is a greatbig tented area that is brought
(24:34):
to you by PCS, PowertrainControl Solutions, but this is
to provide some reprieve fromthe heat.
It's going to have some fansand air movement in it, but also
have some nice relaxing chairsand things so people can kind of
hang out, especially as we'rewinding down the day and we're
watching some demos and enjoyingsome beverages there in the
layover lounge.
So that's something to lookforward to.
(24:56):
We'll have some different areasthere.
You can recharge phones anddifferent things like that, but
you will have a front row seatin the Oasis to watch any of the
action taking place in the demozone, and I will mention that
that Oasis is open for theduration of the show.
So throughout the day of theshow, if you need to sit down
and relax, you have a spot andlooking forward to seeing
(25:18):
everyone in there.
Because this is going to, asJen alluded to, we have some
exciting events taking place andsome honorary things here for
some of our newly retired.
Matt Weitzel (25:28):
Yeah, I can't wait .
I think this is going to be thebest show ever.
I'm not going to lie, I'mpretty excited about it.
You know, I think I've beengoing since 2008, 2007, 2008,
something like that, so, butit's every other year.
You know, I finally did get togo to the GSE Expo Europe in
2024 and saw Jen there.
Jennifer Zecchino (25:48):
Yes.
Matt Weitzel (25:49):
That was a fun show.
Jennifer Zecchino (25:50):
That was a good show.
We'll be going back there nextyear to Lisbon.
Matt Weitzel (25:54):
Okay, will it be in the same place?
Jennifer Zecchino (25:56):
It will Okay yeah.
Matt Weitzel (25:58):
Nice, all right.
And then, jenny, what are youmost looking forward to?
Because this will be your kindof your first time being able to
interact with so many people inthe GSE world all at one time,
all in one week.
So what are you really lookingforward to?
Jenny Lescohier (26:15):
Well, I am now.
I'm looking forward to theOasis and the beer.
Matt Weitzel (26:19):
Yeah, I know Right .
Yeah, I know right.
We all are.
We're all like, yeah, this isgoing to be awesome.
Jenny Lescohier (26:23):
Well, to be honest, I'm thinking back to the
early days of the trade showsthat I've been to and how we
always we'd go to the ones inEurope where it was more of a
party atmosphere, frankly, youknow.
And then, at least in theindustries that I was covering,
(26:46):
the United States shows were,you know more, all about
business, you know, and what youguys are describing is it's
exciting because it feels likeit's going to have like a
festive vibe about it, you know,and just sort of a theme of
getting together and makingconnections with new people and
sitting down and having arelaxing moment.
And I think that's great.
And so I'm excited about that,because the thing that I, you
know, I've only been with themagazine for six months and so I
(27:06):
haven't had a ton ofopportunities to actually meet
members of our audience and Ireally want to, you know, have
some sit down time with actualground support professionals who
are familiar with ourpublication and with aviation
pros and can talk to me aboutwhat is keeping them up at night
, so we can tailor our editorialgoing forward to the things
(27:29):
that are really important to ouraudience.
So I'm really excited aboutthat.
I'm also very intrigued aboutseeing some of this equipment
and, you know, wrapping my headaround what some of this new
technology is that I'm learningabout, because, as I said, I've
been writing about constructionequipment for a really long time
, and so this is in many ways ithas similarities, but obviously
(27:53):
it's very different.
So this will be an opportunityfor me to kick the tires, maybe
even I don't know get in behindthe wheel to see what it's like
and figure out what these thingsreally are.
So it's going to be a learningexperience for me from start to
finish.
Matt Weitzel (28:07):
Yeah, you're going to be hanging out in that demo
zone seeing what manufacturersare going to let you drive
around the equipment.
I like it, I think it's a greatidea.
Yeah, and then just, and thengo, go over to the layover
lounge.
You know, just don't drink anddrive.
Ok, that's, that's.
We're not asking much.
Ok, jenny, but just refrain.
Ok, yeah, this way till in theafternoon.
Jenny Lescohier (28:29):
Can I tell a quick story about?
Matt Weitzel (28:31):
Oh, please.
We love stories in the GSEpodcast.
Jenny Lescohier (28:34):
The very first trade show that I ever attended
in the equipment rental space.
Okay, it was a small regionalshow and it was in Fresno,
california.
It was in like the parking lotof some you know like hotel or
something, and these regionalreps had come with like one or
two pieces of equipment.
It wasn't a big thing, it wasjust to try to get local
(28:56):
equipment buyers exposed to theequipment.
And I want to say it was WackerNoisen and they had one of
their small double drumcompactors on site and they had
like a little course that youcould sort of operate it in just
to get a sense of it.
Not to really it's not going tobe compacting anything, but it
was just to show its handlingabilities or something.
(29:17):
And somebody on staff thoughtwell, this will be Jenny's first
time getting behind the wheelof any kind of equipment.
And so they put me in thislittle machine, and it wasn't
even intimidating, it was great,and it literally was the lever
goes forward to go forward andit goes backwards to go backward
, okay, and then the rest of it,you're just stealing it or
(29:37):
steering with the wheel.
And I got a little nervousthough, because it started to go
faster than I anticipated and Iknew that to stop it all I had
to do was move this lever intothe neutral position, but I, for
whatever reason in mynervousness, could not seem to
manage that.
So I'm barreling straight forsome of these other pieces of
(29:59):
equipment that are on displayand, like I could hear everybody
in the side, no, no, put it inneutral.
And finally one of the productmanagers kind of came over and
like, got it done for me, but itwas a close call.
Nothing was damaged, butdefinitely not going to be
having any beverages before Iget behind the wheel.
Matt Weitzel (30:20):
Yeah, and I think that whole letting manufacturers
demo their equipment I don'tthink that's happening anymore.
After this story, I thinkeverybody's going to go.
You know what?
We listened to the podcast.
We're good.
There's a great passenger seat,though We'll let you in that.
Jenny Lescohier (30:33):
Yeah, that's about right Now.
Matt Weitzel (30:36):
Jen, it's your turn now, because I didn't.
I didn't really expect to dostories, but now that we're,
we're telling, you know, expostories.
Oh no, what the heck.
You know, let's go for one.
Or does John want to go?
John's got like a million, butI'm sure he'd have to, like take
(30:56):
out manufacturers, names andstatements they may or may not
have made.
Oh gosh, you don't, you don't,you don't have a good one, jen.
Jennifer Zecchino (31:04):
I'm trying to think of one.
Oh my gosh.
Matt Weitzel (31:07):
I mean, while you're thinking I can tell, I
can tell one.
I don't think I told this storyon the podcast, but I may have.
So excuse the audience if Ihave, but I think it was edited
out.
So I, you know, I think we'll,we'll, we'll tell it.
Um, so, basically I was, I have, but I think it was edited out.
So, uh, you know, I think we'll, we'll, we'll tell it.
Um, so basically I was, I was,it was my first time going to.
Well, I think it was my secondtime going to a show and I was
(31:27):
in charge of the setup, justlike I am now.
I haven't really moved up in mycareer at all Um and um, and so
I I got to leave the show earlybefore breakdown and we had
this huge crate and I was soexcited because the guys said
that they would do it and I'dalways done the breakdown and
the crate gets delivered.
I'm on the road, I'm drivingfrom Vegas to LA when I get the
(31:50):
phone call that I have the keysto the lock for the crate and
they couldn't get the crate openand I was halfway to Los
Angeles in a vehicle.
So anyway, it did not go well.
People were not happy with meand they ended up having to find
bolt cutters to unlock thecrate.
(32:10):
And yeah, I kind of got introuble for that.
Oh no, yeah.
It wasn't a great moment.
I've got plenty of moments likethat.
We could go on for days, butI'll let John go.
It seems like John's got areally good one.
He's got brewing here.
Jon Jezo (32:25):
Lots of great stories of over all the years of the GSC
Expo event.
I think probably one of themore memorable ones is one of my
first times being involved withthe GSC Expo, which would have
been in the earlier days of likeno, maybe 2007, 2008.
Being fairly new to the GSEside of things, I was very
(32:46):
excited First time going to abig trade show like this, first
time being involved on thehosting side.
So a lot of exciting things anda lot of the things we do are
tied in closely with our mediabrand partners from Endeavor
Business Media.
So, specifically, groundSupport Worldwide.
As you heard from Jenny Leskohere just a moment ago, she is
our editor.
(33:06):
So, by the way, anybody lookingto get the word out on your new
products and any new andexciting technologies or service
offerings, jenny is the one youwant to hit up.
She will be all over the showand very excited to learn about
your products and help educateall of our readers.
But one of the things for themagazine side of things is back
(33:27):
in the day we used to distributewhat we had for the show
dailies.
Everybody remembers the showdailies, right?
You know the folks that standthere and are slapping you with
a magazine as you're enteringthe exhibit area each morning.
Well, that's a very excitingthing, but I'll tell you on the
backside it's a lot of workbecause that's all your show
(33:49):
coverage, all of the contentwe're capturing, all the new
exciting product revealing that.
You got to summarize and thenproduce that printed magazine
overnight.
You got to summarize and thenproduce that printed magazine
overnight and, being a littletoo excited about it, we thought
it'd be wonderful.
Let's get it to all of ourexhibitors and attendees before
(34:10):
they get to the show the nextmorning.
That'll be wonderful.
We got all the hotel blocks andwe were going to go and deliver
them door to door during thenight in Las Vegas.
Matt Weitzel (34:22):
No way.
Jon Jezo (34:23):
Sounds great when those ideas came out.
Probably should have asked afew more questions.
Yeah, Primarily like whoexactly would be distributing
those magazines and that showdaily?
Yeah, Ah, yes, John, that wasyou the new guy.
So, yes, in a typical Vegasfashion, as we are headed back
(34:48):
to our room at 7 am after beingup all night producing a
magazine and then delivering itto all of the different hotels
for all of the attendees andexhibitors.
Those are the fun times and,believe it or not, people
definitely party in Vegas andyou wouldn't believe how many
you may see in an elevator justwinding their night down at 7 am
.
(35:09):
We pulled it off with successand it's something that you know
.
With all the technologies wehave now and everything being
digitized for the most part it'ssomething we can get the
communications out and all thenew products and services things
out much faster.
We don't need to do the showdaily.
We've kind of spun it into somevideo so there'll be some daily
video wrap up going that Jennyand the rest of the editorial
(35:30):
team from Ground SupportWorldwide will be doing their
coverage throughout the show.
So you can look forward toseeing those videos and synopsis
of all the new products.
But one of the other big pieceswe do is our daily newsletter,
so stay in tuned.
Hopefully you're able to makeit to the show, but if not,
we'll have some summaries comingout each day with all the new
happenings and launches andproducts and exciting things
(35:51):
from the GAC Expo.
But yeah, good times, it's oneof those things Careful what you
commit to.
But maybe just ask a few morequestions before you.
Matt Weitzel (36:00):
Yeah Well, I've never even.
You know you don't think aboutwhen you don't have to do it,
right, you're just you don'tthink about oh, how do these
dailies get done, Right, like,you know who's staying up all
night to write up this stuff andthen get it printed and get it
to the show and all thedifferent things that you know.
You just figure somebody'sdoing or you don't even thinking
about it because it's not yourresponsibility.
(36:20):
But then when you justexplained, it started like
getting a cold sweat.
I'm like that seems like a lotof work.
I mean, that is, that is a tonman.
I can't believe that that iscrazy.
So nobody, nobody, can expectJohn showing up to their hotel
room at 7 am.
Everybody can just, you know,watch the videos that Jenny's
going to do at their leisure,and yeah, that's.
(36:42):
I think that's a much bettersolution to your problems.
All right, jen.
Jennifer Zecchino (36:46):
Oh my gosh, this is bad.
This is why I don't driveequipment at all, why I'm not
allowed.
So kind of like Jenny, you knowthe equipment's not supposed to
be terribly difficult to drive,right when it's like supposed
to be, just getting in your carand starting it.
And you know, kind of like you,matt I don't know if my career
has progressed I've been settingup trade show booths.
Matt Weitzel (37:09):
Exactly yeah, yeah , we're doing great.
Jennifer Zecchino (37:12):
We might be in the same boat here, but I do
genuinely love everything I do,so maybe that's why you and I
just are stuck where we're at,because we, you know, it's not
every day people get to say thatthey love what they do.
Matt Weitzel (37:24):
Exactly.
Jennifer Zecchino (37:25):
I literally can say I genuinely love what I
do every single day.
Matt Weitzel (37:28):
Plus, I would complain so much if somebody
else did it because it wouldn'tbe done the way that I would
have done it.
So I guess I can't reallycomplain about it.
So All right, go ahead.
Jennifer Zecchino (37:37):
So we win, so we get to do this.
So I'm getting a booth set upfor the GSC Expo and I am not
sure what in God's green earth Iwas thinking, but I was like I
got this.
I can drive a tractor with noproblem.
I can drive a car.
I'm good at this.
I've taken kids, you know, toand from carpool.
People trust me with their kids.
I can definitely be trustedwith a piece of equipment right?
(37:59):
Can definitely be trusted witha piece of equipment, right.
Yeah, when there's anelectrical box involved and you
don't have a spotter at a showand you think you know what
you're doing and someone tellsyou to stop and you run over an
electrical box, oh yeah, thatcauses a lot of issues to the
equipment.
Matt Weitzel (38:14):
That's shocking.
No pun intended.
All right, Keep going.
No pun intended smarty pants,so yeah, unfortunately.
All right, you don't have to goany further.
I think we got the gist of it.
That's amazing, so bad.
So what, Jenny?
Actually?
You know, with hers at least itdidn't actually happen, with
(38:36):
yours it definitely happened.
Jennifer Zecchino (38:40):
It happened and I mean I'm so glad I have
friends in all kinds of placesthat can cover up my big
boo-boos.
So thank you for everyone thereto help me through that.
But yeah, I was not able todrive equipment.
Matt Weitzel (38:53):
Yeah, you're done.
Yeah, so you're not going to.
Okay, so you'll be in thelayover lounge with Jenny.
John and I are still allowed todrive equipment.
That's what I'm hearing.
Yeah.
Jennifer Zecchino (39:04):
You would be correct, matt, a hundred percent
.
Matt Weitzel (39:06):
Yes, that is unbelievable.
What a great story.
Good, well, I'm so glad thatJenny kicked us off with telling
stories, because I had a greattime.
And, jenny, did you havesomething that you were going to
kind of talk about with theexpo that we haven't released
yet?
Is that still the case, or havewe released everything that we
(39:26):
can be talking about at themoment?
Jenny Lescohier (39:29):
There is one thing Ground Support Worldwide
annually has its Leaders of theYear Awards program and we just
completed that in the May-Juneissue, which is probably hitting
people's mailboxes this week.
And so we have those winners,we'll be accepting their awards
officially at Expo and we'll behaving a very small well,
(39:50):
hopefully not small, I shouldsay it's modest because there
are only five winners but wewould like to get as many people
as we could to come and, youknow, congratulate the winners
and enjoy just the honoring ofthese professionals.
So stay tuned for moreinformation on when exactly and
where exactly that ceremony willtake place, but it will be on
(40:13):
September 16th, likely at theGround Support Worldwide booth,
and I don't know, john, if wehave a number on that yet, but
that's probably all to bedetermined.
But stay tuned for moreinformation.
We're excited to give someaccolades to those people who
have really excelled at whatthey do, and so, yeah, that's
something that we've got planned.
Other than that, like John said, I'll be looking for new
(40:37):
product information.
If somebody wants me to comeand learn about their equipment,
please let me know they canemail me.
Matt Weitzel (40:51):
I'm at jlescohair at endeavorb2bcom and that's a
lot of spelling.
I won't.
That's easy.
I'll put that in the show notes.
Okay, I'm going to put Jen'semail in the show notes.
I'll put your email in the shownotes so that way everybody can
check that stuff, becausethere's no way y'all are getting
all those spellings correct onall that stuff.
Jenny Lescohier (41:06):
Right, nice.
But yeah, I'm looking forwardto meeting everybody and I hope,
if you you know, see my name orknow who I am, flag me down If
you've got stories to tell.
Matt Weitzel (41:15):
That's why I'm yeah you're going to wear some
like bright outfits and stuffbecause people don't know who
you are, right?
So you have to like stand out alittle bit, so that way, when
you're walking by, people likewho's that?
Jenny Lescohier (41:26):
And then you know, I think we'll be well
branded Right, John, we're goingto have yeah, I think we have
yeah.
Matt Weitzel (41:30):
OK, you're going to be.
Jon Jezo (41:31):
you're going to be grounds for worldwide polos,
things like that Something fancycolor-coordinated team, you bet
, easy to find and running allover, that's for sure.
Matt Weitzel (41:43):
Yeah, you'll be refilling the bathrooms with all
kinds of XSEED stuff.
I mean, I know what you'regoing to be doing, of course,
all right.
So my last question is, john,so what does participation from
the exhibitor standpoint andattendees standpoint look like
compared to 2023?
We looking up.
Jon Jezo (42:03):
Yes, absolutely looking up.
I don't want to jinx anything,so I don't want to say too much,
but it is looking very strong.
Registration orpre-registration is definitely
up, which is a great sign.
I think one of the things thatwe're hearing is that a lot of
products that were you knowduring the COVID times it seems
like there was a lot of productdevelopment that was you know.
(42:24):
R&d people dove back in andthen COVID threw some wrinkles
and things of course for productdelays or parts supplies,
whatnot.
So it's taken a little bit, butI think a lot of the new and
exciting products, especially alot of the stuff on the
sustainability side for electricvehicles and charging
technology a lot of these thingsare coming out, they're being
(42:44):
released, the curtains arecoming off.
So I think that's somethingeverybody should be really
excited to see as we move theGSD market forward to the future
and electrifying it.
That's something I think that'sgoing to be a bigger piece
every year for this show, butwe're very excited for that.
Really.
I think the big thing is thedemo zone.
That's a big piece to why wehave the demo zone.
(43:05):
Electric vehicles are certainlyimportant, but you just can't
drive around inside the halllike we can outside.
So that's a big piece to thatdemo zone to give everyone that
opportunity for that experienceand get behind the wheel and
make sure that piece ofequipment is the right fit for
their business.
Matt Weitzel (43:23):
I love it.
Yeah, I'm really excited aboutthat this year.
I think it's going to befantastic that you all have put
so much thought and effort intogetting people over there and
testing out those pieces ofequipment.
I know that'll help out themanufacturers a lot for people
to be able to jump on and seewhat those things look like in
real life and be able to drivethem around and all that kind of
(43:45):
stuff, touch them, feel them,kick the tires, all that kind of
stuff.
So that's awesome.
Anything else from anybody?
I think we've pretty muchcovered it.
I think we got some excitementgoing for the expo.
I know I'm very excited aboutit.
But any closing remarks fromanybody, anything that I've left
out I haven't asked about.
Jon Jezo (44:03):
I would just like to say anyone who's looking for
more information or hasn'tregistered to attend, or if you
are looking for a vivid space,you can visit gseexpocom and get
all the information you wouldneed, and it's something that
registration will be open for abit yet, so there's no worries
If you're an attendee, getyourself registered and you can
(44:23):
formulate your plan.
There's going to be a lot ofmore exciting announcements
coming.
We do have an app mobile appcoming this year, so there'll be
more things to book somemeetings and stay tuned for that
in a few weeks.
Matt Weitzel (44:35):
Oh, I didn't know.
There's a mobile app coming.
That's amazing.
And then any sponsorship stuff.
Is there any availablesponsorships that are still out
there that are available forpeople to purchase?
Jon Jezo (44:44):
Yes, thank you for bringing that up, matt.
There are.
We have actually created a fewnew ones here in the past week.
The final details here will becoming out this week here
actually, and I would say byWednesday this week, with some
new exciting opportunities here.
We'll be getting those out toall of our exhibitors for those
opportunities to be explored.
Matt Weitzel (45:03):
Okay, awesome, so look out for the emails on new
sponsorships.
All right, well, thank you allso much for taking the time to
talk to me today and sharing allyour stories, and I can't wait
to see everybody in Las Vegas.
Jon Jezo (45:18):
Likewise, Matt.
Thanks for having us.
We're all excited andappreciate your time All right.
Jennifer Zecchino (45:23):
Thank you, matt, thank you.
Matt Weitzel (45:25):
Thank you, bye, bye.
Thank you for tuning in to thisepisode of the GSE Podcast.
We hope you found itinformative and engaging.
If this episode resonated withyou, please share it with your
colleagues and peers in theground support equipment
community.
Your support is invaluable tous.
We'd appreciate it if you couldtake a moment to rate and
(45:48):
review our podcast.
Your feedback not onlyencourages us, but also helps
expand our reach within the GSEcommunity.
Keep an eye out for moreepisodes as we continue to
explore the dynamic world ofground operations, bringing you
the latest trends, insights andstories from the industry.
Thank you for listening to theGSE podcast.
Until we meet again, staygrounded and keep pushing
(46:10):
forward.
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